HI Barb
Hand cancel means that the postal clerk is going to hand stamp the post mark on the stamp, and do not automate means that they will not put it through the machinery. Don't worry about what it means, just say 'Please hand cancel' (they will do it in front of you) and 'please do not automate', they know what it means, and you will get charged .20 to not automate. They just want the money, LOL. They cannot charge to hand cancel mail.
sue